Improvement in lanterns



R. M. MERRILL.

Lantern.

No. 50,725. Patented Oct. 31. 1865.

N. PETERS. Pmwmu n m Washingicn a a PATENT OFFICE.

' RUFUS M. MERRILL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENTIIN LANTERNS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 50,725, dated October31, 1865.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RUFUs M. MERRILL, of Chicago, in the county of Cookand State of Illinois, have invented a new and Improved Lantern; and Ido hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription of the same, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure l is avertical or front View of my invention. Fig. 2 is a representation ofthe lamp detached from the lantern-frame. Fig. 3 repre sents the globeor protector detached from the lantern.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the severalfigures.

The nature of my invention consists in, first, the peculiar constructionof a lantern globe or protector in which the diameter of its base orlower part is equal to or greater than that of any other parts of thesame, so as to admit it to be inserted in position within the frame orcasing by passing it through the casing, and at the same time completelyfill the circumference of the same without the appliance of any otherdevice or material second, in a novel device whereby the lamp oroil-reservoir may be securely and readily attached to or disconnectedfrom the lantern by a partial rotary movement of one part upon theother; third, in a novel arrangement whereby the height of the flamewithin the lantern may be regulated from the outside without removingthe lamp for the purpose,

To enable those skilled in the art to fully understand and construct myinvention, I will proceed to describe it.

A represents frame or casing of the lantern, constructed in the usualmanner, the upper part, a, and the lower part, a, being connectedsecurely by the guard-wires, by soldering, or otherwise.

B is the glass globe or protector, and is made of such a form that itsgreatest diameter does not exceed that of the bottom or lower part thetoothed wheel from the worm-wheel hereinafter described.

f is the wick regulator, and to the end of this is secured a toothedwheel, which engages with the worm on the spindle g. This spindle issecured in a vertical position by bearings attached to the oil-cup, andextends downward through the bottom flange, J, of the lamp andterminates with a button, so that the height of the flame within thelantern may be regulated by simply turning thebutton.

To the two opposite sides of the oil-cup are soldered the springs H,extending downand outwardly a suitable distance, and corresponding slotsor apertures h are made in the case a, into which the springs engage andsecurely connect the parts together. The lower ends of the springs aresloped toward one side, so that a partial rotation of the lamp upon thecasing causes the springs to leave the slots, and thus disconnect theparts without the use of thumb-pieces or any direct pressure upon thesprings. When turned in an opposite direction the form of the ends ofthe springs will prevent them from passing the slots after they haveentered them, as the square end of the spring will strike against themetal at the end of the aperture and prevent further movement in thatdirection; or, if preferred, the springs may be-made of wire bent to theproper form andattached to the lamp and operated in co nnection with apin secured to the casin g.

By this arrangement of parts and the use of the described globe manyadvantages are obtained, a few of which are the ease with which theglobe can be removed from the frame for the purpose of cleaning or toinsert a new one in case of breakagefltogethcr with the exceedingcheapness of construction of the frame or casing. There is also muchless danger of breakage or accidental displacementthan when a morecomplicated arrangement is used, and no change is required in the framesas usually made to adapt them to be used with this adjustable globe.

The simplicity of thesprings and the ease with which they are operated,together with their perfect security give many advantages.

The device for regulating the height of the wick, owing to the absenceof springs or movable bearings, is not liable to derangement of any ofits parts by usage.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. As an article of manufacture, the withindescribed lantern globe orprotector, having its maximum diameter at its base or lower part,substantially as and for the purpose shown and described. 1

2. The globe or protector B, in combination with the frame or casing ofa lantern, and a device for holding it in position, substantially asshown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

3. Operating the connectin g-sprin gs of a lanl tern by a partial rotarymovement of one part of the same upon the other, substantially in themanner shown and described, and for the the purpose set forth.

4. In combination with a spring or springs secured to one part of alantern, the slots 71. or their equivalents on the other part, so thatthe two parts may be firmly locked together, or released from theirconnection by a partial rotary motion of one part upon the other,substantially as and for the purpose herein described and shown.

5. Attaching theburner to the lamp by means of a hinged collar, e, orits equivalent, in such a manner that it can have no material lateral orrotary motion in its collar, substantially as shown and described, andfor the purpose set forth.

6. In combination with the burner D and regulator f, the worm-wheel andits spindle, arranged and operating substantially as described, and forthe purpose set forth.

' RUFUS M. MERRILL.

Witnesses:

E. A. RANNEY, D. L. JUERGENS.

